What’s new in Apple’s iOS 18.4 beta 2
This week, Apple rolled out iOS 18.4 beta 2, packed with more fresh features than its predecessor, the initial iOS 18.4 beta. This update… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple goes to court to fight UK demand for iCloud encryption backdoor
Apple is taking the UK government to court over efforts to force the company to weaken iCloud encryption.iCloud security is on the lineThe case, filed under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), seeks to compel Apple to create a backdoor that would allow law enforcement access to user data, not just in the UK but potentially in other countries too.The company has filed a legal complaint with the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal, pushing back against a mandate requiring it to create a "back door" for law enforcement to access encrypted iCloud data, according to the Financial Times. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Slash $67 off black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2
A beefier design, long battery life and advanced features make Apple Watch Ultra 2 a great deal for all (not just endurance athletes). (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Slash $67 off black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2
A beefier design, long battery life and advanced features make Apple Watch Ultra 2 a great deal for all (not just endurance athletes). (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Ben Stiller tried to get Barack Obama on 'Severance'
In a new appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Ben Stiller tells the story of how he tried to get former President Barack Obama to do voice work on the season two premiere of "Severance." But, let me be clear — he didn't take Stiller up on the offer.An animated Lumon Industries voiced by Keanu ReevesIn the season two premiere, a short animated section features a talking Lumon Industries building. While he went uncredited, Stiller confirms that the voice belonged to Keanu Reeves.However, that wasn't the first person he had in mind for the role. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple challenging legality of UK’s secret demand to globally compromise iCloud encryption
It appears Apple will have its day in court to challenge the UK’s not-so-secret-anymore order demanding a backdoor into iCloud....

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Apple’s next-gen Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips coming as soon as this week
A refreshed Mac Studio might debut as early as this week. The updated model is anticipated to feature the M4 Max chip, originally… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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What else is in the air this week: A new Mac Studio with a weird chip
Macworld When Tim Cook posted on Monday that “there’s something in the Air” this week, we expected a new iPad Air (which happened), maybe an 11th-gen iPad (which also happened), and a new MacBook Air (coming Wednesday). But surprisingly, we’re hearing that Apple is tossing in a one-more-thing-like announcement into the week in the form of a new Mac Studio. X/Mark Gurman According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to update the high-end desktop for the first time in nearly two years. But he also includes a headscratcher: it won’t include an M4 Ultra. Rather, Apple may introduce the M3 Ultra, which most people had thought was as good as dead. Apple has used M-series Max and Ultra chips in the Studio and Mac Pro but of the same chip generation. Gurman reports that Apple is going to use an M4 Max and an M3 Ultra, rather than M4 versions of both chips. It seems like an odd thing to do, as the M3 Ultra will be faster than an M4 Max, but the gains won’t be as dramatic as they should be. Why wouldn’t Apple just go with an M4 Ultra? Perhaps there are manufacturing issues. Or perhaps Apple wants to create a distinction between the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro, which is rumored to get the M4 Ultra. We should find out more tomorrow, but for now, you can read all about the rumors of the M4 Mac Studio and the M4 Ultra Mac Pro while we try to figure this one out.

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Updated Mac Studio with M4 could launch with new MacBook Air
Alongside the new iPad Air and the expected new MacBook Air, a new report says Apple may also release an upgraded Mac Studio.The current Mac StudioTim Cook teased online that there was "something in the air," before the new iPad Air was launched, and before a newNew MacBook Air could perhaps follow suit. Now a new report says that this week may see yet a further release, with an updated Mac Studio potentially being announced alongside the MacBook Air.According to Bloomberg, the next version of the Mac Studio is due to launch very shortly. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 18.4 public beta 2 now available, here’s everything new
Apple has just released public beta 2 for iOS 18.4, bringing a variety of new features and changes for users in the public beta program. Here’s everything that’s new. more…

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Public beta 2 for iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, more adds these new features
Apple has released public beta 2 for a variety of its software platforms, including macOS Sequoia 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and more. These updates arrive just over one week after the first betas, and one day after developer versions. more…

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iPhone 16e teardown reveals Apple’s C1 modem and much more (with video)
iFixit has released one of its signature teardown videos this week, dissecting the new iPhone 16e to explore its internal workings in detail… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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M4 Mac Studio: Everything you need to know
Macworld The M2 Max and Ultra Mac Studio were released at more than a year ago at WWDC23, and the M4 era of Apple’s System on a Chip has already started. So it’s time to start looking forward to the next Mac Studio. But just how long will we have to wait for the new Mac Studio? We’ll keep track of what’s being said in this article.  Update March 4, 2025: A new Mac Studio could be released within the week. M4 Mac Studio: Release date We’ve had two generations of Mac Studio. The first gen (M1 Max and Ultra) was released in March of 2022. The second-gen (M2 Max and Ultra) was revealed at WWDC23 in June 2023. Apple will probably continue with a March or June timeframe for the next Mac Studio, with WWDC25 the likely venue. The next Max and Ultra Mac Studio could be released in 2025.Roman Loyola/IDG In April 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in the paid version of his Power On newsletter that the next Mac Studio could launch in the second half of 2024, which at the time pointed to a June 2024 release at WWDC. However, the promise of an imminent update didn’t last long. In May, Gurman reported that the Mac Studio was not on the schedule of Apple releases for 2024. He claimed it won’t appear until mid-2025. Gurman reiterated this in June 2024 when he reported that the Mac released schedule had not changed and the M4 Mac Studio is not expected until the second half of 2025. Gurman repeated this claim that the new Mac Studio will ship in 2025 again in August 2024. In October, Gurman reported that the new Mac Studio had originally had a similar release schedule as the M4 MacBook Air, with a release planned between January and March of 2025. But Apple has decided to push the Mac Studio back to a release between March and June. On March 4, 2025, Gurman posted that a new Mac Studio is “imminent.” X/Mark Gurman M4 Mac Studio: Price No reports on the price for the next-gen Mac Studio have been made. Here are the standard configuration prices of the current M2 Mac Studio lineup, for reference. $1,999/£2,099: M2 Max with a 12-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32GB unified memory, 512GB SSD $3,999/ £4,199: M2 Ultra with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB unified memory, 1TB SSD The price is unlikely to change in the U.S., but we anticipate that the new Mac Studio will be less than it is currently in the U.K. The original Mac Studio was £1,999 in the U.K. when it launched, Apple then pushed up the price to £2,099 with the arrival of the M2-powered model. Since then fluctuations in economies around the world likely mean that the U.K. price will return to £1,999, as this is how Apple has aligned other prices. M4 Mac Studio: Design The Mac mini had a redesign when Apple introduced the M4 and M4 Pro versions, but no reports about design changes to the Mac Studio have been made. The current design works well so Apple likely won’t change it. The only possible exception is a new space black color option to match the MacBook Pro. M4 Mac Studio: Specs and features The main (and likely only) change that will happen with the upcoming Mac Studio is with its SoC. The Mac Studio should continue to have the Max and Ultra versions of its M-series chips, so the new chips we will see are likely to be the M4 Max and M4 Ultra. We already know what to expect from the M4 Max as it has launched in the MacBook Pro. The ports on the Mac Studio will likely remain unchanged.Roman Loyola/IDG Apple’s Ultra chips are likely to combine two M4 Max chips to offer double the CPU and GPU cores. The M4 chip is already very impressive, in fact, in our Geekbench tests the M4 Max beat the M2 Ultra. Read: How Apple’s M4 chips dispelled all my fears about buying a new Mac. When the M4 Ultra launches you can expect something exceedingly fast and powerful. Apple could have even more up its sleeves. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has stated that Apple is working on AI-enhanced M4 chips that could find their way into the Mac Studio in 2025. On March 4, 2025, Gurman posted that the new Mac Studio could use an M4 Max and an M3 Ultra, not an M4 Ultra. It seems like an odd thing to do, though the M3 Ultra will be faster than an M4 Max, but the difference will be smaller than if it were an M4 Ultra. Why wouldn’t Apple just go with an M4 Ultra? Perhaps there are manufacturing issues. Or perhaps Apple wants to create separation between the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro, which is rumored to have the M4 Ultra. Read all about the rumors of the M4 Mac Studio and the M4 Ultra Mac Pro. Another major upgrade to expect is Thunderbolt 5 implementation, an upgrade from Thunderbolt 4 in the current Mac Studio. With the M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, Apple implemented Thunderbolt 5, so it will happen with the new Mac Studio. Learn more about Thunderbolt 5. The other features of the Mac Studio should remain the same. That means no changes to the ports, connectivity, speaker, SSD sizes, or display support.

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Apple Launches Legal Challenge To UK 'Back Door' Order
Apple is stepping up its fight with the British government over a demand to create a "back door" in its most secure cloud storage systems, by filing a legal complaint that it hopes will overturn the order. Financial Times: The iPhone maker has made its appeal to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent judicial body that examines complaints against the UK security services, according to people familiar with the matter. The Silicon Valley company's legal challenge is believed to be the first time that provisions in the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act allowing UK authorities to break encryption have been tested before the court. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal will consider whether the UK's notice to Apple was lawful and, if not, could order it to be quashed. The case could be heard as soon as this month, although it is unclear whether there will be any public disclosure of the hearing. The government is likely to argue the case should be restricted on national security grounds. Apple received a "technical capability notice" under the act in January. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Severance tried to get Barack Obama for role that ultimately went to Keanu Reeves
Severance’s hit second season continues to set record numbers for Apple TV+, and as part of the ongoing marketing blitz, Ben Stiller was on Jimmy Kimmel last night. During his appearance, he revealed that a Severance guest role in season two’s premiere was originally offered to former President Barack Obama. more…

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Apple Speed Bumps iPads: iPad Air Goes M3, iPad Gets an A16
Apple’s latest iPad updates focus on processor upgrades. The iPad Air moves from the M2 chip to the M3 and receives a redesigned Magic Keyboard, while the base iPad jumps from the A14 Bionic to the A16 and doubles its starting storage to 128 GB.

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Apple's new iPad updates are not dramatic, but don't need to be
There's very little new in the new iPad Air, and the new base iPad has less than expected. Despite that, both are excellent devices and exactly what they need to be.The new iPad Air and new Magic Keyboard — image credit: AppleIn 2024, the iPad Air had the very visible update that for the first time it came in a 13-inch version. At the same time, the iPad Pro had the quite visible update that it came with an OLED screen.True, you had to actually see an OLED iPad Pro in the flesh to really appreciate the difference. Still, here were two of Apple's iPad models, both getting a significant update. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple may release updated Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips this week
An M4 MacBook Air may not be the only new Mac coming this week. Mark Gurman shared that Apple may actually be planning to release an updated Mac Studio this week, and the company may not be done introducing new M3 chips after all. more…

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Best iPad 2025: Complete and updated guide to which iPad to buy
Macworld Which iPad should you buy? There are a lot of choices and it can be confusing. There are four different varieties of iPad, listed below, and each is available with or without cellular (including 5G on certain models), which costs extra. That’s before we get into storage capacity, colors, and second-hand alternatives. Our in-depth buying guide assesses the whole range of iPads sold by Apple and explores all the factors that should influence your iPad buying decision such as value for money, how much storage you need, and whether or not to buy a cellular version. We also reveal whether an updated version of each device is likely to be launched soon–answering the question of whether now is a good time to buy an iPad. If you’re thinking of buying an iPad for college or university you might also like to read our guide to the best iPad for students. You may also like to read our best iPad for kids guide. We also have a Best iPad for Seniors guide. Apple iPad comparison chart The table below summarizes the main features of the iPads in Apple’s current lineup and highlights the price for each. We have more information about the individual iPads and buying advice below. Click the links in the table of contents to go to the section most relevant to you. Model (launch date)Key features + specsStorage + priceiPad A16(March 2025)• 10.9-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• A16 processor (5-core CPU, 4-core GPU)• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil 1• 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm• 481g128GB, $349 / £329256GB, $449 / £429512GB, $649 / £629 iPad miniA17 Pro(October 2024)• 8.3-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• A17 Pro processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro• 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm• 293g128GB, $499 / £499256GB, $599 / £599512GB, $799 / £799iPad Air 11-inchM3(March 2025)• 11-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• M3 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm• 462g128GB, $599 / £599256GB, $699 / £699512GB, $899 / £8991TB, $1,249 / £1,249iPad Air 13-inchM3(March 2025)• 13-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• M3 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm• 618g128GB, $799 / £799256GB, $899 / £899512GB, $1,099 / £1,0991TB, $1,299 / £1,299iPad Pro 11-inch M4(May 2024)• 11-inch screen• Face ID• M4 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm• 446g256GB, $999 / £999512GB, $1,199 / £1,1991TB, $1,599 / £1,5992TB, $1,999 / £1,999iPad Pro 13-inchM4(May 2024)• 13-inch screen• Face ID• M4 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm• 582g256GB, $1,299 / £1,299512GB, $1,499 / £1,4991TB, $1,899 / £1,8992TB, $2,299 / £2,299Prices for Wi-Fi models. Cellular models cost more Every iPad Apple sells As you can see from the table above, Apple’s iPad lineup is perhaps one of the most expansive product lineups presented by the company. Below we offer information about each model, but we also answer questions further down the article such as which iPad is the best value for money, which size is best, how much storage you need, and whether to get cellular (you can jump to these sections from the table of contents above). The iPad that is best for you will depend on what you need from an iPad. If you just want an iPad for reading books, watching movies and TV shows, email, and web browsing – or for kids who will just be watching Bluey – then you don’t need all the bells and whistles. An iPad or iPad mini might be best here. If you are looking for an iPad that will do everything that a laptop can, then you might want to consider a model that is more powerful and supports additional components, including one of Apple’s newer keyboards or the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air might suit you. And if you will be using your iPad for gaming, video editing, photo editing, or anything high-powered and graphic intensive, then you will probably be looking at an iPad Pro. Below we will run through every iPad you can buy so you can find the one that’s best for your needs. Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 2024): Best for power in an affordable package Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $599 at Apple 1128GB, $599 / £599 256GB, $699 / £699 512GB, $899 / £899 1TB, $1,249 / £1,249 As of March 2025 the 11-inch iPad Air has an M3 processor that is powerful and energy-efficient (you may remember it from its widely praised performance in the Mac). The M3 pushes the iPad Air far ahead of the iPad mini and standard iPads with their A-series chips. The M3 also makes the Air an appealing alternative to the more expensive iPad Pro models, with their faster M4 processors. Like all recent iPads, the Air features an all-screen design with no Home button. As with the standard iPad and the iPad mini, biometric security is handled by a fingerprint sensor in the power button rather than Face ID, which is reserved for the Pros. It has superb cameras (the front-facing 12MP camera and Center Stage), supports a wide range of Pro accessories, and now features 5G. Pros: Beautiful design. Superb processing and graphics power. Cheaper than the iPad Pro. Cons: Screen doesn’t feature ProMotion. Ideal for: Tablet gamers and anyone who wants to be able to run the most demanding apps now and in the future. Pro users (business, creative, design) who can’t afford an iPad Pro. Is now a good time to buy? Absolutely. It was updated in March of 2025 and will be around for a while. But would the iPad Pro be better? Read: iPad Air vs iPad Pro, or look below. See: Best iPad Air deals Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024): Best for kids and travelers Price When Reviewed: $499 (128GB; Wi-Fi only) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi only) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $399 View Deal $399 View Deal $468.95 View Deal $479 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $399 at Amazon$399 at Best Buy$468.95 at B&H View more prices from Walmart ElectronicsAppleApple United StatesTarget Close × Best Prices Today: Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024): Best for kids and travelers Retailer Price $399 View Deal $399 View Deal $468.95 View Deal $479 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 128GB: $499/£499 256GB: $649/£649 512GB: $799/£799 This generation of iPad mini launched in October 2024 and is available in four colors: Blue, Purple, Space Gray, and Starlight. The biggest draw of the iPad mini is probably its diminutive stature; with its 8.3-inch display it’s Apple’s smallest iPad. It’s perfect for carrying around in a bag or handing to children when they need entertainment. It might be small, but it is actually more powerful than the standard iPad thanks to its A17 Pro processor, which is a few generations newer than the A14 in the 10th gen iPad and supports Apple Intelligence. You also get a Liquid Retina screen, and 12MP/12MP rear/front cameras. Pros: Very portable and respectably powerful. The cheapest version now has a decent amount of storage (128GB, previously only 64GB). Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil Pro. Cons: Small screen, which may not be great for those who get eyestrain or who like immersive films and games. Best for: The portability-conscious. Gamers on the go. Tablet photographers. Ebook readers. Kids. Is now a good time to buy? The iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024, so you won’t find deep discounts yet, but you’ll likely find it for a little bit lower than Apple’s MSRP at third-party retailers. See: Best iPad mini deals Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review Apple iPad (A16, 2025): Best value, but at a price Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $349 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $349 at Apple 128GB, $349 / £329 256GB, $449 / £429 512GB, $649 / £629 The 2025 iPad (A16) is the cheapest iPad at just $349/£329. It offers a lot of features for the price and it’s available in an assortment of fun colors. It has a 10.9-inch screen, a USB-C connector, and supports the Apple Pencil 1 or the Apple Pencil (USB). It’s also capable of 5G. Pros: Good price especially now it starts with 128GB storage. Cons: Apple picked an A16 chip for this iPad despite the A16 not supporting Apple Intelligence. This is likely to mean it will missing out on features. Still feels cheap due to the unlaminated screen (will Apple ever update this?). Not as thin and light as the iPad Air, or the iPad Pro for that matter. Best for: Anyone who needs a big screen (not a huge screen; they’ll want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro) but is on a budget, and can cope without the latest in processing. It’s a good option for anyone who likes the look of the iPad Air, but not the price. Is now a good time to buy? It’s unlikely that Apple will update this model again in 2025. It was a strange choice not to support Apple Intelligence features though. If you want the cheapest iPad it’s a good deal, but it might be better to pay a little more for the iPad Air if you can afford to. See: Best iPad (A16 & 10th gen) deals Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M3, 2025): Get a big iPad for less Price When Reviewed: $799 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $799 at Apple 128GB, $799 / £799 256GB, $899 / £899 512GB, $1,099 / £1,099 1TB, $1,299 / £1,299 If you want a larger screen, there’s also a 13-inch iPad Air with an M3 processor, making it a viable alternative to the more expensive 13-inch iPad Pro with its M4 chip. Aside from the bigger screen this iPad Air is identical to the 11-inch iPad Air, with the same all-screen design, fingerprint sensor in the power button and front-facing 12MP camera with Center Stage. Pros: Large screen. Cheaper than the iPad Pro. Cons: Screen doesn’t feature ProMotion. Ideal for: Anyone who want a bigger screen at a lower price than the iPad Pro. It’s a great size for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match). Pro users who can’t afford an iPad Pro. Is now a good time to buy? Absolutely. It was introduced in March 2025 and will be around for a while. If you want a big screen and don’t need, or can’t afford an iPad Pro it’s a great choice. See: Best iPad Air deals 11-inch iPad Pro (M4, 2024): Best for power in a small package Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $999 View Deal $1,099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1104 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $999 at Apple$1,099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy View more prices from Walmart ElectronicsApple United StatesB&HTarget Close × Best Prices Today: 11-inch iPad Pro (M4, 2024): Best for power in a small package Retailer Price $999 View Deal $1,099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1104 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 256GB, $999 / £999 512GB, $1,199 / £1,199 1TB, $1,599 / £1,599 2TB, $1,999 / £1,999 The current generation of iPad Pro models went on sale in May 2024. The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and a variety of capacities all the way up to a massive 2TB. The 2024 Pros feature M4 chips and are incredibly powerful–some might say more powerful than it has any right to be. The 11-inch iPad Pro features a display it calls Ultra Retina XDR, which is an implementation of OLED technology that offers deeper blacks, better details in shadows and low light, and better response to motion. Apple uses two OLED panels in an implementation it calls Tandem OLED to address the brightness concerns of a single OLED panel. The Tandem OLED generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. The front-facing camera is now on the longer side of the iPad Pro for use in landscape mode and the rear 10MP ultra-wide camera is gone. The 12MP main camera now has an adaptive True Tone flash that works while scanning documents, which uses AI to sense shadows when scanning and uses the flash to fill in the spot, and multiple photos are taken and stitched together to create the best scan. Pros: Slim and light (even slimmer than the iPad Air!); dual cameras; Face ID; devastatingly quick and power-efficient processor. Cons: Very expensive. Its power could be overkill for many. Ideal for: Creative types who don’t need the absolutely largest screen. It’s great for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match), but there are other screens in the range that are a similar size and a lot more affordable. Is now a good time to buy? The 11-inch M4 iPad Pro was released in May 2024. Apple isn’t expected to update it until September or October 2025. See: Best iPad Pro deals Read our full Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024) review 13-inch iPad Pro (M4, 2024): The ultimate iPad power package for creative pros Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1,099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1104 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $1,099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1104 at Walmart Electronics View more prices from Apple United StatesB&HTarget Apple Close × Best Prices Today: 13-inch iPad Pro (M4, 2024): The ultimate iPad power package for creative pros Retailer Price $1,099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1104 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 256GB, $1,299 / £1,299 512GB, $1,499 / £1,499 1TB, $1,899 / £1,899 2TB, $2,299 / £2,299 The iPad Pro 13-inch, updated in May 2024, offers the biggest screen ever on an Apple tablet, squeezed into a relatively small and very thin chassis. In other respects it’s largely the same as the 11-inch Pro (above): super-fast processor (the M4) with lots of RAM, excellent cameras, and a user experience that looks more than capable of replacing a laptop. The 13-inch iPad Pro, like the 11-inch version, has an Ultra Retina XDR. This is based on OLED technology, but Apple uses two OLED panels–it calls Tandem OLED and it generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. This is all thoroughly impressive. But on the downside, the 13-inch Pro is far less portable than the mid-size iPads (it remains admirably slim, but the sheer screen area makes it a handful) and ruinously expensive, particularly at those upper storage tiers. Pros: Largest screen (13-inch); extremely fast processor with lots of RAM; landscape camera with Face ID; four speakers; Ultra Retina display. Cons: Very slim but not as portable as the smaller models; very expensive; processor speed will be overkill for many prospective buyers. Ideal for: Creative types most of all, but anyone who needs a big screen will be interested. Gamers and those who enjoy consuming media on the go will like the combination of a sumptuous screen and a quad-speaker audio system. Is now a good time to buy? The current Pros came out in May 2024. Apple isn’t expected to update it until September or October 2025. See: Best iPad Pro deals iPad Buying Guide: What to look for when buying an iPad As you can see from the above there are a lot of iPads sold by Apple–that doesn’t even include the many previous-generation iPads that are still on sale at various resellers and at Apple’s Refurbished Store (U.S) or U.K. When confronted with so much choice what should you consider when deciding which iPad to buy? For many the choice will be based on price and value for money. Some may be influenced by the screen size, others by the weight. The ability to get more than 512GB storage may be important, as may the inclusion of Face ID or Touch ID. Finally, the decision of whether to get a cellular version, which invites the assessment of the minefield of network contracts, will no doubt be a factor for some. We will look at each of those factors below. Which iPad is the best value for money? One person’s value for money is another person’s extravagance. You might be looking for the cheapest iPad. That would be the A16 iPad, launched in March 2025. At just $349/£329 price that’s a bargain in Apple’s terms. It has a 10.9-inch screen, a 12MP rear-facing camera, an A14 Bionic processor, and 5G as an option. The main problem is that it illogically doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the bunch of AI features Apple has been shouting loudly about. With subsequent versions of iPadOS likely to lean heavily on Apple Intelligence you could get FOMO in the future if you buy this iPad. But if you only need a cheap iPad for the kids it’ll probably do the job, especially now that it has a reasonable amount of storage (no more struggling with 64GB). If you are happy to buy an older iPad model then there are plenty of discounts available while they are still in stock. There are also some great savings to be had on refurbished models. We recommend you check the following deals roundups, where you can see the best prices right now on various iPads:  Best iPad Pro deals Best iPad (10th gen) deals Best iPad Air deals Best iPad mini deals If you have more to spend, what can you get for your money? The A17 Pro iPad mini more than justifies its slightly higher price tag of $499/£499 with its faster (Apple Intelligence-capable) A17 Pro processor, True Tone flash, and a fully laminated, better quality, display, among other things. But its biggest draw will probably be its size for those who want a small iPad. The iPad mini is not much bigger than a hard-backed book making it the perfect size to carry around in a bag and a great size for kids. Next up is the M3 iPad Air, which starts at $599/£599 for the 11-inch model. It might be worth every extra penny if you want a faster M3 processor. The iPad Air display is still superior to that of the iPad, fully laminated and with an antireflective coating (like the iPad mini). The introduction of an 13-inch iPad Air (in 2024) means that you no longer need to fork out extra for the iPad Pro if you want a larger display on your iPad. The M4 iPad Pro, last updated in May 2024 is the ultimate in this category. Starting at $999/£999, the Pro has a lot to offer, with an incredible display and an M4 chip for starters. But we think these features are probably more than the average person needs. Then again, if you need those features you can’t beat it, unless you want a bigger screen, in which case get the 13-inch iPad Pro. Those are the prices that Apple sells its iPads for, but you don’t have to pay that much. Take a look at our regularly updated iPad deals page for the lowest prices and best discounts on iPads new and old. iPad screen size: Which size iPad to choose Size is a question of taste rather than simply going for the biggest iPad you can get your hands on. Bigger isn’t necessarily better if what you need is small and light. The most obvious aspect of this decision comes down to screen size. All screens are measured diagonally from corner to corner, or from the place where the corners would be. You’ve got four options: 8.3-inch iPad mini 10.9-inch iPad 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro But how big a screen do you really need? You can think of the tablets in terms of print publications: the mini is roughly the height and width of a paperback book; the mid-size iPads are closer to a hardback (albeit much slimmer); and the 13-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air are like a magazine (remember them?) The larger screen is obviously better for immersive entertainment. Whether watching films or playing games, it’s a more enjoyable, richer experience. But really this is a question of priorities. Are you more set on getting maximum screen space, or are you willing to compromise on that front in order to get a lower price tag and improved portability? iPad Pro 13-inch (2024): 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm; 579g/582g (Wi-Fi/cellular) iPad Pro 11-inch (2024): 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm; 444g/446g iPad Air 13-inch (2025): 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm 617g/618g iPad Air 11-inch (2025): 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm; 462g/462g iPad 10.9-inch (2025): 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm; 477g/481g iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024): 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 300.5g/308.2g Also read: Every iPad display compared. Want the lightest iPad? As you’d expect, the iPad mini is a lot lighter than the other iPads. There’s a big gap between that device and even the mid-size iPads. As well as its markedly lower weight the mini also has a smaller body, which slips easily into a rucksack or jacket pocket. If you plan to mainly use your iPad out and about, on vacation, or commuting, or perhaps you’re buying an iPad for a child, the mini is your best bet. The iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch Pro are pleasingly portable, but they still can’t match the mini for portability. The iPad has a similar length and width to the Air, but is thicker and heavier; the Pros are slimmer still. The 13-inch Pro and Air are considerably less portable than their smaller cousins, but we think Apple has done well to keep the weight down, especially with the Pro, which is now thinner than the iPad Air (go figure): it remains a slender, relatively lightweight, and portable alternative to a laptop. How much storage do you need? The five iPads offer anywhere from 128GB to 2TB of storage, but if you are looking at an old, refurbished, or preowned iPad you could be confronted with 64GB or even 32GB storage, which isn’t enough. But what storage capacity do you really need for an iPad? Well, first of all, remember that you can’t upgrade the storage of an iPad at a later date: this is your limit from now until you buy another iPad, so aim high and buy as much storage as you can afford. It’s better to spend an extra few pounds now than to buy an entire new iPad in six months. Storage capacity is mainly used up by three things: music, photos, and videos, in increasing order of storage drain. If you want to keep lots of films or TV shows–or even a few, to be honest–then you need high storage: probably 256GB or higher for video fans. (If you’re buying an iPad with the kids in mind, remember that you’ll want storage space for multiple episodes of their favorite show on a long car journey.) The same applies to large photo or music libraries, to a lesser extent, although iCloud Photos and iTunes Match make it possible to keep your stuff in the cloud and access it remotely (if you pay the fees for iCloud storage and either have a cellular/WiFi connection, or Hotspot from your iPhone). The other thing that will fill up your storage is apps, especially games which will use up a lot of space. For that reason gamers should aim high on storage: The iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini start with 128GB and the Pro has 256GB. We recommend getting what you can afford. See: How much storage do you need on an iPhone or iPad? for more advice. Should you get the most powerful iPad? The iPad Pro models are, as you would expect, faster than their smaller and cheaper equivalents, next up is the Air, then the iPad mini and finally the iPad. You can get an idea of relative speed by looking at a few relevant specs: iPad Pro 13-inch (2024): M4; 8GB/16GB RAM iPad Pro 11-inch (2024): M4; 8GB/16GB RAM 13-inch iPad Air (2025): M3; 8GB RAM 11-inch iPad Air (2025): M3; 8GB RAM iPad mini (2024): A17 Pro; 8GB RAM iPad 10.9-inch (2025): A15; 4GB RAM The M-series chips have won widespread acclaim in the Mac range and produce outstanding performance in the iPads. But that doesn’t mean the A chips are sub-standard or incapable of running modern apps; keep in mind that much of the software on the App Store was designed with A chips in mind, and even now most developers will want to make their software accessible for as many iPad owners as possible. There is a good reason to choose the M-series chips over the A-series though. Some of the best iPadOS 16 features will only work with the M-series iPads. These include features like Stage Manager, which is a feature for organizing your windows. There are also rumors that one day Apple may make a cutback version of macOS available on the iPad but this will be probably be restricted to the M-series chip, if indeed it ever happens. But speculation aside, how powerful you need your iPad to be will be based on your requirements (and how long you intend to use your iPad for). The most demanding graphic-design, video-editing, and audio apps will see better performance on the M4, M3 and even M2 processor, so if you’re looking at high-level workloads multiple years down the line the M4 and M3 would be a better option. But for most users, the A17 Pro will be comfortably fast enough for the mid- and long-term. Another important factor to consider is memory. The iPad still only has 4GB. The mini and Air gets a jump up to 8GB, while the Pros have either 8GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, depending on your storage tier: the 1TB and 2TB versions get the higher RAM allocation. If you want to run Apple Intelligence, you must have an iPad with at least 8GB of RAM. With the current iPad lineup, Apple Intelligence can run on all iPads expect the iPad. Learn more about Apple Intelligence. Overall, we would advise those who want to use highly demanding apps, such as video and image editors and graphically advanced games, to choose an iPad Pro or Air. If you’re going to be using your tablet for the odd bit of email and web surfing, you’ll find an iPad or iPad mini perfectly decent. With these general observations out of the way, it’s time to look at each device in more depth. For each iPad we record the essential information, its pros and cons, which buyer should pick it, and whether now is a good time to buy. Should you get a Cellular iPad? For most people cellular connectivity is a luxury, even if it’s a nice one to have. For an extra $100 or $150, you’ll be able to access the web and email, and use connected apps, away from a Wi-Fi network. You need to factor in the cost of a data plan and find a network provider. Consider carefully how often you’re going to do that: with an iPad mini there’s likely to be more on-the-go use than with a full-size iPad, but it’s still a lot to pay for something you may only use from time to time. Have you got a regular (overground) commute where you’d enjoy catching up on news headlines or e-mail? Then it could be worth the extra. We think the best option, if you want to be able to get data on your iPad when you are out and about, is to create a hotspot and share it from your iPhone. Then you can use your iPad as if it is on the cellular network. Read about how to create an iPhone hotspot to share your mobile web connection to your iPad. Just bear in mind that the cellular option also brings with it a GPS radio, meaning you’ll be able to input accurate location data when using your device on the go. The other concern when buying a cellular iPad is whether to buy your iPad on a contract. Network providers will allow you to pay for your iPad and the data contract over a number of months – but after that term is up, and certainly not before, you may not be able to switch to a different data provider. Buying on contract may also mean that the iPad is locked to the original contract provider – which can also be a problem if you want to sell it in the future. Here’s how to unlock an iPad from its network, once you’ve fulfilled your contractual obligations. Should you buy a refurbished iPad? You can buy a refurbished iPad from AppleApple We’ll mention this only briefly because it’s covered in detail here: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you, but one option you should absolutely consider is Apple’s Refurbished Store U.S or U.K. It’s a sort of halfway house between new and second-hand: the devices are generally ones that have been returned within the 28-day period in which you are legally allowed to change your mind about a purchase, or they have been returned due to a fault that has been rectified, or they were ex-display or ex-demo units from Apple’s stores or marketing. You can rest assured that Apple has checked all the refurbished iPads that it sells thoroughly, replaced any problematic components, and rated them as good as new (and you get a full one-year warranty to prove it). Apple’s not the only place to buy a refurbished iPad, so beware that all refurbished iPads are not the same, so do check the small print before you buy. Look for refurbished models that have been fully checked out by Apple-certified engineers, especially those that come with a guarantee. Our best advice is to only consider the current or previous generation iPads when looking at refurbished models, then you are less likely to be caught out by a sub-par tablet. Buying a refurbished iPad from a reputable company is definitely preferable to buying a used iPad from someone on eBay. It’s too often the case that secondhand iPads sold that way end up as useless bricks because the person selling it didn’t properly log out of their account. Another way to save money is to buy from a reseller who is selling discontinued stock at a discount. We often see resellers significantly dropping the price on older iPad models that are usually just one generation out of date—just beware, they sell out quick! Should you buy the newest iPad generation? Speaking of older iPads, even if functioning perfectly right now, older models will reach the end of their useful life sooner than the newest models and that is a good reason to avoid buying an iPad that is more than one or two generations old. But keep in mind that iPads tend to start slowing down at around two to three years of age; at the four- or five-year mark you should expect noticeable loss of performance and you won’t be able to get all the latest software updates. The current iPad range launched in 2024 and 2025. Another reason to buy a recent iPad is the operating system it runs. Apple only supports the most recent versions of iPadOS with security updates, so that means that only iPadOS 17 and 18 are currently supported. See How long does Apple support iPads? for more information. So, while you don’t have to buy the newest generation, we would recommend that you buy one that was launched relatively recently to be sure that Apple will support it for as long as you intend to own it. On that basis, any of the iPads listed above should be a safe bet because they support the iPadOS that Apple will support for the next three years, and for many the support will stretch on for more years. Buying advice: Which iPad should you buy? The iPad is a good option for newcomers and those who will mostly use their iPad as a media consumption device with some light work. The one key thing it still lacks, despite a 2025 update, is support for Apple Intelligence. For most people, our recommendation is the iPad Air (2025). The update in March 2025 brought it an M3 processor, which is more than enough for an iPad right now, but even 2024’s M2 iPad Air will be more than sufficient if you find one on dale. Mind you, the iPad Air is still expensive compared to the standard iPad and the iPad mini, and to most rival tablets out there. But, the addition of the 13-inch model means that if you want a big screen you don’t have to fork out for the iPad Pro. The iPad mini is mainly recommended for those who see portability as their main priority. It’s an excellent little device, although the smaller screen makes it less immersive for games and entertainment options. The remaining iPads will be too expensive for the average buyer. The 11-inch and 13-inch Pro models are amazingly powerful and well-made, and the M4 is excellent, but probably more power than anyone really needs right now. But if you’re a creative professional, the Pro is the iPad to get. Finally, before taking the plunge, have you considered if a laptop might suit your needs better? See iPad vs MacBook for more advice on that front.

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Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases come in fresh spring colors
Apple's new spring collection of iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands adds a splash of color, plus a refreshed Hermès Luxury Bands lineup. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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